There are mulches that blend in to a landscape and mulches that make a statement in their own right or help bring out the colors in your plants. If you want your mulch to blend in and be unobtrusive, two types of mulch made of bark will fit the bill:
- A mulch that has not been dyed ("colored")
- A mulch dyed brown
When a mulch has not been dyed, it loses its original color over time. What starts out as a nice brown mulch will eventually weather to a grayish color, as the elements take their toll. Those who prefer the "natural" look in a mulch don't mind this color at all.
But for those who want a showy mulch, this weathering presents a problem. Enter colored mulch. Colored mulch is widely available in three colors:
- Red
- Black
- Brown
The brown colored mulch can be considered something of a compromise, since it's not as "in your face" as the red colored mulch or the black colored mulch. But since the brown color is dyed in, the elements won't rob you of it so quickly.
The use of colored mulch (especially red colored mulch) is controversial among gardeners "in the know." Some despise colored mulch and are disdainful of those who use it. Others allow for exceptions, as when, for example, a red colored mulch is used as a background for plants with yellow flowers (see picture above).
Of course, its appearance is quite a separate issue from the question, "Is colored mulch safe?" -- the subject of the next FAQ.
